Africa's False Dilemma

Ecological and economic welfare are two sides of the same coin and having to choose between developing economies and societies on one hand, and protecting the environment on the other, is a false dilemma. This false dilemma is often used by private companies to dismiss civil society and local communities, mislead policy makers, and then carry on with questionable practices.

Let me explain. Sub-Saharan Africa has been the scene of a huge land grab in recent years, with overseas governments and businesses buying up or securing long-term leases on large tracts of land. Some of the deals are straightforward acquisitions but many are contentious to say the least.

According to a number of the agribusiness corporations that are investing heavily in developing vast palm oil plantations throughout Central and Western Africa their primary aim is bringing much-needed revenue to local economies, providing jobs and improving the lives of the people living there. Don't let yourselves be fooled by this seemingly altruistic discourse: we rarely hear any mention of the millions to be made in trying to satisfy the unquenchable global thirst for palm oil. Could this be the real motivation?

These seeds are ready for the press. The fruit itself is turned into "Palm oil," while the nut is used for "Kernel oil." This is the local variety grown by smallholders. (Copyright Jan-Joseph Stok / Greenpeace)

A perfect illustration of this false dilemma is Herakles Farms' rhetoric in relation to their latest project in Cameroon. Clearing of forest has recently begun; but this forest is important because it provides a key corridor between five protected areas including the iconic Korup National Park. This concession sits within the Guinean forested region of western Africa, which has been identified as one of the 25 most important biodiversity hotspots on earth, and is roughly 10 times the size of Manhattan, the island that is home to the headquarters of Herakles Farms.

The forests of Cameroon store huge amounts of carbon, critical to maintaining the global climate and preventing huge emissions of CO2, but they are also essential for local communities. These forests provide a home and income for thousands of people through cocoa farming and other commodities including palm oil production.

More than 70 percent of land in sub-Saharan Africa falls under the definition of customary domain. This means land that is formally state-owned but has been used by local communities, often for generations, although these customary users, such as those in Mundemba, Fabe and other areas of Cameroon affected by proposed developments, often have very limited rights.

The palm oil project in Cameroon has provoked fierce local opposition and division. Many local farmers Greenpeace spoke to in the villages falling under the concession area say that people have been forced off their land or that lines physically demarcating the concession area have been drawn on their land without prior notice. According to one lady from Fabe village who has been evicted from her farm:

"If the company takes all of the land then they will be the death of all of us. What will we live off? We will not have a livelihood. (...) Where will people do their farming? "

It seems incongruous that Herakles Farms claims it is trying to improve the lives of local people but then there is scarcely any consultation with those same people over what is to be done with the land they depend on for their livelihoods, nor any serious acknowledgment of the risks posed to local environments and the global climate.

Palm oil is used by Cameroon people as a basis for their food consumption. (Copyright Jan-Joseph Stok / Greenpeace)

As an African, I am used to questioning supposed solutions to poverty, especially when they are implemented without the collaboration of the people they are allegedly helping. As the head of Greenpeace, I can say that we encourage development, but do not support development that is not mindful of people and nature.

"...When I joined Greenpeace three years ago I expected to see more people who looked like me, with long beards, shirts with flowers on them and so on. Actually what I found here were scientists, intellectuals..."

You are said to be a DOCTOR of political sociology?

Are Doctors of political sociology no intelectuals?

;)

Sun Wu

PS: what was your doctoral thesis about?

I am sure you are aware that, in order to meet scientific standards, persons are not supposed to be emotionally involved in the subject of scientific research

PPS: how did your mum die? You said she killed herself because of Apartheid, like almost everything else in your life seems to be directly linked to...

...Apartheid.

PPPS: according to Dusinis and Edlinger...

...Political-correctness arguments are tangible weapons in the sociopolitical struggle over distribution.

...We live in a time in which you claim a demand by defining yourselve being a victim - a victim of the PRE-POLITICAL-CORRECTNESS-WORLD (like, e.g. APARTHEID?)

...Arts subsidies are almost exclusively flowing in projects that give the 'silent' victims of COLONIALISM; GLOBALIZATION and PATRIARCHY a voice.

...For a while already we have reached the embarrassing point where there is victims all over the place, but NO more committers...'

6th of November coming up...are you excited? Another victory just about to be reached.

So you are AFRICAN.

DOCTOR Naidoo,

6th of November coming up...are you excited? Another victory just about to be reached.

So you are AFRICAN.

Are a VICTIM of the white man?

Assuming you are really AFRICAN, do you believe to be the right person to change the white man?

Sun Wu

PS: why dont you show us some pictures of a middle-class township Indian immigrants choose to live in? I am waiting, and on the 6th I will ask you a question, and you will not delete my comment, and you will answer me, ok?

PPS: for our friends of sociology - Dusinis and Edlinger

...Political-correctness arguments are tangible weapons in the sociopolitical struggle over distribution.

...We live in a time in which you claim a demand by defining yourselve being a victim - a victim of the PRE-POLITICAL-CORRECTNESS-WORLD (like, e.g. APARTHEID?)

...Arts subsidies are almost exclusively flowing in projects that give the 'silent' victims of COLONIALISM; GLOBALIZATION and PATRIARCHY a voice.

...For a while already we have reached the embarrassing point where there is victims all over the place, but NO more committers...

Even if global wariming is responsible for this extreme weather, you do not have any proof. This is eactly how you ruin the last bit of Greenpeace-reputation!

You are not really fighting global warming, prefer to meet local fisherman in a shack somewhere on a beach of Mauritius...

I suggest you better shut up in awe and shame when effects of global warming become visible.

Sun Wu

PS: the Climate Action Network, the influential umbrella organization of more than 700 auxiliary and environmental organizations around the world,is, together with the majority of poor countries, demanding a revision of the two-degree target...

...in favor of a 1.5 - degree target.

The NGOs are forcefully attacking anybody expressing doubts about the feasibility of the two-degree target.

Of all things it is environmental movement that TRIVIALIZE climate changemore than all eco-reactionist .

While a warming of more than four degrees is hardly to be prevented, they defend doggedly the illusion that the world could still decide whether we like the thermostat in the greenhouse at plus 2, or would prefer to make it only plus 1.5..."

"...we stubbornly ignore the fact that a PLUS 4°C-world means that the most important premise of civilisation will be invalid: seasons, patterns of vegetation, coastlines...will be changing.

Will be changing not once, but continuosly for centuries. The ocean-level will be raising rapidly. Forests, tropical ones as well as forests in northern Hemisphere will disappear giving room to steppes and deserts delivering huge amounts of Co2 to the atmosphere...

...speeding up global warming.

Additionally there will most likely be changes in ocean-currents with incalculable effects..."

a really great article Kumi, ...thank you so much for championing the cause of our brothers and sisters, and our environment. I've many close fri...

a really great article Kumi, ...thank you so much for championing the cause of our brothers and sisters, and our environment. I've many close friends there at GPI and have followed your journey for many years, and all I can say is:
Kumi Naidoo, ...best past and present leader ever, ...of the best past and present organization ever. Bring it on, ...your Love and light for all the world.

The Elections in the USA being a topic on November 6th I would like to refer to my comment posted on April 14th 2012. I am talking of the first comment on DOCTOR Naidoo's blog 'Iran Nuclear Crisis Needs ‘Disruptive Diplomacy’, Not Shock and Awe' posted on the 14th at 19:36.